Go Back
To make Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken, gather these key items: - 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces - 4 tablespoons honey - 3 tablespoons soy sauce - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated - 2 tablespoons sesame oil - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon cornstarch - 2 tablespoons sesame seeds These ingredients create a sweet and savory flavor that makes this dish shine. You can add a few extras to make your meal pop: - 3 green onions, sliced (for garnish) - Cooked jasmine rice (for serving) Serve your chicken over jasmine rice. This will soak up the tasty sauce. Each serving gives you a balanced meal with: - Calories: About 350 - Protein: 22g - Carbohydrates: 30g - Fat: 15g This dish is rich in flavor and provides energy. Enjoy your cooking adventure! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, you need to marinate the chicken. Grab a medium bowl. Mix together 4 tablespoons of honey, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon of grated ginger. Add 2 tablespoons of sesame oil and 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar. Stir it well. Now, add 1 pound of bite-sized chicken thighs to the bowl. Coat each piece well in the marinade. Let the chicken sit for 20 minutes. This helps the chicken soak up all the flavors. While the chicken marinates, prepare the coating. Take a separate bowl and mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with a pinch of salt. After 20 minutes, take the marinated chicken and toss it in the cornstarch mix. Make sure the pieces are evenly coated. This will help create a nice crispy texture when cooking. Next, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, place the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook them for about 5-6 minutes. You want them golden brown and fully cooked. If your skillet is small, cook in batches. Once the chicken is ready, pour the leftover marinade into the skillet. Stir well and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. This thickens the sauce nicely. Finally, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds over the chicken. Toss them to coat evenly. Cook for one more minute until you smell that lovely fragrance. Remove the skillet from heat. Serve the Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken hot over jasmine rice. Don’t forget to garnish with sliced green onions for a burst of color and flavor. Enjoy your meal! To make a great marinade, mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and rice vinegar well. The honey adds sweetness, while the soy sauce gives a salty kick. Let the chicken pieces soak in this mix for at least 20 minutes. This time helps the flavors soak in. For best results, consider marinating overnight. You can store it in the fridge. For crispy chicken, coat each piece well in the cornstarch mix. This helps create a nice crunch. Heat your skillet or wok with vegetable oil until hot. Avoid putting too many pieces in at once. This keeps the chicken from steaming, which can make it soggy. Cook in batches if needed. Each piece should be golden brown and cooked all the way. Serve your Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken hot over a bed of jasmine rice. This rice soaks up the sauce well. Garnish with sliced green onions for a fresh touch. You can also sprinkle extra sesame seeds on top for a crunchy finish. Enjoy this dish with steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Pro Tips Marinate Longer for Flavor: For even richer flavor, consider marinating the chicken for at least 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator. Adjust Sweetness: Feel free to adjust the amount of honey based on your personal preference for sweetness in the dish. Use Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh garlic and ginger will enhance the overall taste of the marinade and the final dish. Garnish Variations: Experiment with different garnishes like toasted nuts or fresh herbs to add extra texture and flavor. {{image_2}} You can add colorful vegetables to your honey garlic chicken. Broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas work well. Just chop them into bite-sized pieces. Stir-fry them in the skillet before adding the chicken. This way, you get more nutrients and a pop of color. The veggies soak up the sauce, adding extra flavor. If you like heat, add Sriracha to the marinade. Start with one teaspoon and adjust to your taste. This spicy version gives your dish a nice kick. Just remember, a little goes a long way. Mix it in with the honey, soy sauce, and garlic. Your honey garlic sesame chicken will be both sweet and spicy! For a plant-based option, try tofu instead of chicken. Use firm tofu and press it to remove extra water. Cut it into cubes and marinate just like the chicken. Fry the tofu until golden brown and crispy. This option is great for vegans or those looking to cut back on meat. The honey garlic sauce will still shine through! To store leftovers, let the chicken cool first. Place it in an airtight container. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. This keeps the chicken fresh and tasty. Make sure to store it with any extra sauce. This adds flavor when you reheat it. When you are ready to eat, reheat the chicken. You can use a microwave or a skillet. If using a microwave, place it on a plate and cover it. Heat for about 1-2 minutes. Stir halfway to heat evenly. If using a skillet, warm it over medium heat. Add a splash of water to keep it moist. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often. You can freeze Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken too. Place the cooled chicken in a freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. This helps prevent freezer burn. You can freeze it for up to three months. When you want to eat it, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat it as mentioned above. This keeps the flavors intact and delicious. Yes, you can use chicken breast or even chicken tenders. Both will work well. Chicken thighs give more flavor, but feel free to swap. To make this dish gluten-free, replace soy sauce with tamari. Tamari has a similar taste. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free as well. This dish goes great with jasmine rice. You can also serve it with steamed broccoli or a simple salad. Both add freshness to the meal. Let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes. This helps the flavors soak in. For a stronger taste, you can marinate it for up to 2 hours. Yes, you can prepare the marinade and cut the chicken ahead of time. Just store them in the fridge. You can also cook the chicken and reheat it later. Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken is simple and tasty. We covered key ingredients, important steps, and helpful tips to make this dish shine. You can even try fun variations, like adding veggies or tofu. Plus, we discussed how to store leftovers and answered common questions. This meal can fit into your busy week. Now you can impress family and friends with easy cooking! Enjoy making this delicious dish again and again.

Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken

A delicious and easy-to-make chicken dish with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, finished with sesame seeds.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 tablespoons honey
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 3 green onions sliced (for garnish)
  • 1 serving cooked jasmine rice (for serving)

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, mix together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Add the chicken pieces and coat them well in the marinade. Let it sit for 20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
  • In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch with a pinch of salt. Once the chicken has marinated, toss the pieces in the cornstarch mixture until evenly coated.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, cooking for about 5-6 minutes or until golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
  • Once the chicken is cooked, pour the remaining marinade into the skillet. Stir to combine and let it simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  • Sprinkle sesame seeds over the chicken and toss to ensure an even coating. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
  • Remove from heat. Serve the Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken hot over a bed of jasmine rice, garnished with sliced green onions.

Notes

Serve with cooked jasmine rice for a complete meal.
Keyword chicken, honey garlic, sesame